What it's about: After all of the words in the dictionary break free, they form a parade of cleverly demonstrated linguistic concepts: rambunctious action verbs do acrobatics, onomatopoeic words form a noisy marching band, and homophones march in twos and threes.

Who it's for: budding word nerds and adults who want to encourage them.

Don't miss: the handy glossary that caps this playful invitation into a deeper understanding of the English language.

Starring: Dexter T. Rexter, a toy dinosaur with a burning question: "Can you help me? I'm looking for my best friend, Jack." See, Jack has been gone for a while, and though Dexter is trying to keep calm (singing their special song helps), he's starting to get scared. Jack wouldn't forget him…would he?

Further reading: For toys that exhibit patience rather than Dexter's goofy (and ultimately unfounded) panic, try Kevin Henkes' Waiting; for a kid's perspective on a missing toy, pick up Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny.

What it is: Set on an African game farm, this rewrite of Old McDonald will keep kids "e-i-e-i-o"-ing until the cows -- or, in this case, zebras -- come home.

Why kids might like it: Rendered in lively textures and bold hues, the book introduces animals such as giraffes, baboons, ostriches, hippos, and springboks, each one contributing an exciting new sound for readers to echo.

What it is: A West African setting reframes this distinctively illustrated retelling of the classic fairy tale. Beauty herself narrates, adding intensity to the descriptions of her family, her captivity with the Beast, and the transformative power of love.

Why kids might like it: Intricate details in the hairstyles and fashions worn by Beauty and her sisters will please princess-obsessed readers, while fairy tale fans will be captivated by the Beast's wondrous castle.

What it is: a vibrant spin on "The House That Jack Built." It all begins with a farm maiden's humble pot, into which she -- with help from some talented farm animals -- continually adds ingredients, cooking up a delicious treat to share.

Who it's for: With glowing colors and cumulative, bilingual repetition, this readaloud-ready book will grab Spanish speakers and learners alike.

What it's about: "I sure hope no innocent little succulent child happens by our unlocked home," declare three dinosaurs as they set out bowls of pudding and exit their carefully arranged house. Even before the "poorly supervised" young Goldilocks arrives, kids will realize that this tongue-in-cheek retelling is toying with their expectations.

For fans of: sly twists on traditional tales, such as Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs or Mac Barnett's The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse.